"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns;there are things we know we know.We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns-the ones we don't know we don't know."
Donald Rumsfeld

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Top 10 Toxic Chemicals Linked to Autism and Learning Disabilities

by A. Grano

According to The Mount Sinai Medical Center, the National Academy of Sciences has concluded that three percent of all neurobehavioral disorders in children, including autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), have a direct link to toxic exposure in the environment, while another twenty-five percent are a result of a blend of environmental factors and genetics.1

While exact environmental factors are not yet known, the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) at Mount Sinai has identified ten toxins found in consumer products that likely play a significant role. According to the researchers, the findings are especially notable because this knowledge raises the awareness that some environmental causes may be potentially preventable.

The top ten chemicals that CEHC identified include:2

Lead

Methylmercury

PCBs

Organophosphate pesticides

Organochlorine pesticides

Endocrine disruptors

Automotive exhaust

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Brominated flame retardants

Perfluorinated compounds

HealthyChild.org has compiled a checklist of healthy living tips that can help reduce the risk of contamination with such chemicals. Among them include reduced exposure to pesticides and plastics, which are some of the most common chemicals. By simply removing your shoes before entering a house, you can help avoid tracking pesticides onto carpets and rugs, the Web site notes.3

Though natural alternatives to plastic like textiles, solid wood, bamboo, glass, and stainless steel are ideal, when purchasing plastic items, get familiar with better alternatives, such as high-density polyethylene (commonly used in milk jugs and yogurt cups) versus polyethylene terephthalate (commonly used in soda and water bottles).4